10/08/2016

Bloggers BIG night out with Meridian Leisure Leicester

A few weeks back I had an email invite I could not refuse. Several bloggers were invited to Meridian Leisure Park in Leicester for a night of food, drinks and entertainment. I mean who would turn that down?! We were able to take a plus one so Emily came along to join in the fun.

Our evening kicked off with cocktails at Chiquito, a restaurant bar and Mexican grill. The food smelt amazing, shame it was only cocktails on offer! Emily had the Strawberry popping candy cocktail, nice enough but extremely sweet and I chose the Avocado and passionfruit cocktail. BIG mistake. I've had an avocado cocktail very recently and it was delicious so I thought I'd try this one and compare the two. This one though was really unpleasant!!! Sorry but it was :( It tasted of pickles, and it wasn't just me, everyone tried it (I forced them) and we were all in agreement. The bartender said it's an acquired taste, thanks for telling me that before I ordered, and the one I had a few weeks back was made from all fresh ingredients that's why it so fresh and vibrant and totally delicious. Never mind. No more avocado cocktails for me.

Chiqiuto has a really lively, fun atmosphere, a great place for all the family too. We all had a bit of giggle with the Mexican hats dotted around the place for diners to use and make themselves look silly. Hair moustache optional. All too soon we were whisked away to our next destination.

I've got to admit I'm not a big fan of Nando's, I'm not one for picking at chicken on the bone. Never have been and never will be. Breast all the way. I know they do offer all sorts of chicken but it wouldn't be my first choice of restaurant when eating out.

⬆︎A typical table of bloggers with cameras and phones ready and waiting for the food!

We were served a selection of starters including hot and spicy chicken wings, of varying heat, and if not hot enough you could add one of their famous sauces, delicious garlic bread, and pitta with salsa and humous. I stuck to the pittas and dips which were right up my street.

For our mains we headed to Pizza Hut. Now pizza I do like. We were also offered a salad bowl and who doesn't like the salad bar at pizza hut? The best right? I love the combination of fresh salad, coleslaw, beetroot and sweetcorn with crunchy toppings! And as for the pizza, well, they were huge and they brought out a great selection for us to try including meat feast, vegetarian, pulled pork, stuffed crust, cheese bite crust and more. After just two slices, they were large slices by the way, I was starting to feel rather full and I think everyone else was too as there was quite a bit left. Enough to take home a couple of slices for Mr C and Tom to try.

No rest for the wicked though, as no sooner had we swallowed our last mouthful we had to haul ourselves and our food babies off to Hollywood Bowl, don those sexy clown shoes and play a game of bowling, of which I am totally rubbish, I'm sure the worst in the world! Truly.

The two beauties Emily and Emma, oh, ok and the handsome fella at the back, pretending he's not looking but really wants to be in the shot!

The game of bowling was quite rushed and our team didn't get to finish as we had to make a mad dash to the cinema for the film. It's a shame we couldn't finish our game, although I can tell you now that I would have come bottom of the league anyway.

We were off to see Absolutely Fabulous at the VUE cinema which I was so pleased about having been a big fan of Ab Fab since it was first shown on our TV screens all those years ago. It was a great end to an Absolutely Fabulous evening darrrrling!

Located just off the M1 (junction21) the Meridian Leisure Park is close to Fosse Park and Braunstone, it really does have everything you need for a day or night out. There's a load of places to eat and drink, cinema, bowling, and a big indoor play area for the kiddies. Hey, why not plan your day and do it like we did? Pick somewhere for your starter, somewhere different for your main and then finish with the cinema and ice cream for dessert.

We all had a really fun evening, although a little rushed at times and would like to say a big thank you to Meridian Leisure and Georgia at Carousel PR for the invite.